Lift truck frame selectively mounting either a gas engine or an electric motor for powering the drive wheels thereof



Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM LIFT TRUCK FRAME SELECTIVELY MOUNTING EITHERA GAS ENGINE OR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR POWERING THE DRIVE WHEELS THEREOF10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 13, 1945 EN l @E w kkv Numan l nog EW EFeb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM 2,543,590

LIEI- 'mucx FRAME sELEcTIvELY MOUNTING EITHER A GAs ENGINE 0E ANELECTRIC uo'roE FON EowERING TEE DRIVE WHEELS IEEREGE Filed sept. 13.v1945 1o sheets-sheet 2 l 'NIIIII ml un m Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM LIFTTRUCK FRAME sELEcTIvELT MOUNTING EITHER A cAs ENGINE oR AN ELECTRICNoToR EoR PowERING THE nRIvE WHEELS THEREoF 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledSept. 13, 1945 Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM 2,543,690

LIFT 'mucx mlm sELEcTIvELY MOUNTING EI'mER A GAS ENGINE 0R AN ELECTRICMOTOR F Pomme THE uRIvE WHEELS 'mEREo Filed Sept. 13, 1945 10`Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM LIFT TRUCK FRAME sELECTIvELYMOUNTING EITHER A CAs ENGINE oR AN ELECTRIC MoToR RoR PowERING TRE DRIVEWHEELS TEEREoF 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 13, 1945 er J .L II

Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM 2,543,690

LIFT TRucx FRAME sELEcTIvELI MOUNTING EITHER A GAs ENGINE oR AN ELECTRICNoToR EoR PowERING THE DRIVE WHEELS TEEREoF Filed sept. 1s, 1945 1osheets-sheet e Tij- Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. IDum-IAM 2,543,690

LIFT TRucx FRAME sELEcTIvELT MOUNTING EITHER A GAS ENGINE oR AN ELECTRICMoToR EGR PowERING THE DRIVE WHEELS THEREOF I Filed sept. 15, 1945 1osheets-sheet 7 l v 2. 23g o 2;/0

C (b O) J /0/ 'j Q l /Z 65 /Z-l'g 3. @97 /6/ /62 j n fnuenof.'ZZmerz/unam.

5,1/ nl JMW Feb. 27, 1951 2,543,690

E. J. DUNHAM LIFT TRUCK FRAME SELECTIVELY MOUNTING EITHER A GAS ENGINE0R AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR POWERING THE DRIVE WHEELS THEREOF Filed Sept.l5, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM 2,543,690

LIFT 'rRucR FRAME sELEcTIvELY MOUNTING EITHER A GAs ENGINE oR ANELECTRIC NoToR EoR PowERING INE DRIVE WHEELS 'mEREoE Filed Sept. 15.1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Feb. 27, 1951 E. J. DUNHAM 2,543,690

. LIFT TRUCK FRAME sELECTIvELT MOUNTING EITHER A GAs ENGINE oR ANELECTRIC NoToR FCR PowERING THE DRIVE .WHEELS TNERECI` 10 Sheets-Sheetl0 Filed Sept. 13, 1945 6. 7 2 2 y 2 d GMG o OTO f f Tn w .EFT

Patented Feb. 27, 1951 LIFT TRUCK `FRAME SELECTIVELY MOUNT- ING EITHER AGAS ENGINE R AN ELECA TRIC MOTOR FOR POWERING THE DRIVE WHEELS THEREOFElmer J. Dunham, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to Clark EquipmentCompany, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationSeptember 13, 1945, Serial No. 616,091

Claims. l

My present invention relates to improvements in self-propelled lifttrucks of the type used for lifting and transporting goods and materialsin warehouses, factories, wharves, and the like.

Trucks of this type are provided either with an electric motor means oran internal combustion engine means for propulsion purposes. Manyfactors enter into the selection of one or the other of such propulsionmeans for lift trucks, and in certain instances the electric motorpropulsion type is desired for quietness of operation and avoidance ofexhaust gases incident to the operation of an internal combustion engineas the motive power source. On the other hand the internal combustionengine type may be desired to eliminate the necessity of re-charging ofbatteries of the electric motor propulsion type or when frequent heavyloads are to be handled.

Heretofore these two types of lift trucks have been designed to utilizeeither one or the other of the aforementioned power plants so that inthe manufacture of such trucks separate dies, tools, etc. are requiredfor each in its production. This is highly objectionable from amanufacturing cost standpoint in that in order to meet the requirementsof customers desiring either the electric motor propulsion type orinternal combustion engine propulsion type two complete and independentlift trucks have had to be produced by the manufacturer.

It is an object of my invention to overcome to a substantial extent thenecessity of providing dual die and tooling equipment, etc. for theproduction of lift trucks of the above mentioned different types.

A further object of my invention isto provide a lift truck of theself-propulsion type which is so constructed and arranged that eitherone of two types of power plants may be selectively incorporated in thelift truck as desired.

I propose to accomplish the above objects by providing a main lift truckassembly with which either an electric motor means or an internalcombustion engine means and necessary associated apparatus for theoperation of each may be readily incorporated to provide a selectedpower plant for the lift truck.

The lift trucks of my invention are readily adapted to have either oneof two types of power plants associated therewith by providing a mainframe means which is originally constructed to provide readily for thesupport of either ofthe aforesaid types of power plant, as desired. Thelift trucks, except for the power plant and the controls necessary forthe operation of each, are identical and after a particular type ofpower plant has been selected construction of the vehicle may be readilycompleted by the assembly therein of the selected power plant. Thus thelift trucks may be substantially entirely com- 2 pleted and assembledprior to knowledge of the type of power plant to be incorporated in aparticular truck. By virtue of my invention all parts, other than thepower plant and associated controls therefor, of either type of poweredtruck are identical so that the same dies, tools, etc. for such parts ofthe trucks may be used in the construction and assembly thereof, whichresults in a substantial saving in manufacturing cost and yet readilyprovides for the production of a lift truck with the desired powerplant.

A preferred feature of my invention is to provide a self-propelled lifttruck having driving mechanism through which the driving wheels aredriven and in which a main frame means is provided which is adapted tohave selectively associated therewith means for supporting an internalcombustion engine propulsion means or an electric motor propulsionmeans.

A further preferred feature of my 4invention resides in the provision ofa main frame means for supporting a suitable driving mechanism,sucljiw'as a dierential, and through which the drivewheels for the lifttruck are driven, and

in which the main frame means and drive mechamism-'are so formed toprovide for the selective association therewith of an internalcombustion engine propulsion means or an electric motor propulsionmeans.

A still further preferred feature of my invention is in the provision ofa lift truck as aforesaid in which the main frame is provided with meansfor the selective association therewith of different forms of liftplatform frame supporting members.

Cther objects, features and advantages of my invention will appear fromthe detail description.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofconstructing and utilizing lift trucks in accordance with my invention,I

l, shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawings certainpreferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a lift truck constructed inaccordance with my invention which is complete except for theincorporation of a power plant therein, controls therefor, and adashboard assembly for a selected power plant, and with which presentlyknown forms of either an internal combusion engine means or an electricmotor means may be assembled to provide a source of motive power for thelift truck;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the lift truck in Figure 1 inwhich an internal combustion engine type of power plant has beenincorporated, and in which the added'parts are indicated by the shadedareas;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the lift truck in Figure 1 inwhich an electric motor type of power plant or propulsion means has beenlncorporated, and in which the added parts are indicated by the shadedareas;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another form of lift truck withwhich my present invention may be incorporated, the lift truck shownbeing provided with an internal combustion engine type of power plant;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of still another form of lift truckin which my present invention has been embodied, the lift truck shownvbeing provided with an electric motor type'of power plant as thepropulsion means;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a lift truck having an internalcombustion engine means as the source of motive power, as for example,the lift trucks shown in Figures 2 and 4;

Figure '7 is an end elevational view of a lift truck having an electricmotor means as a source of motive power, as for example, the lift trucksshown in Figures 3 and 5;

Figures 8 and 8A are more or less diagrammatic plan and side elevationalviews, respectively, of the steering and platform lifting mechanisms ofthe lift trucks of Figures 1 through 3;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the main frame assembly of the lift trucksshown in Figures 1 ,fthrough 5 with certain of the brackets thereofshown in dotted lines being added to the frame when the/lift truck is tobe electrically driven as for example the lift trucks of Figures 3 and5;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the main frame assembly ofFigure 9;

Figure 11 is an end view of the main frame assembly shown in Figures 9and 10;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a differential housing havingsuitable known driving mechanism through which the drive wheels of thelift trucks of my invention are adapted to be driven and showing aportion of the clutch housing and transmission means, and the driveshaft between the transmission means and differential mechanism;

Figure 13 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the differentialhousing shown partly in section and illustrating the manner in which thetransmission of the internal combustion engine means has connection withthe differential mechanism;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the differential housing of thelift trucks of my invention, and showing the manner in which an electricmotor is mounted thereto,v which electric motor provides the source ofmotive power for the lift trucks of the type shown in Figures 3 and 5;

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through aportion of the differential housing shown in Figure 13, and showing insection the means by which the armature shaft of the electric motor hasdriving connection with the propeller shaft of the differential;

Figure 16 is a partial end elevational view looking toward the dashboardpanel of the lift truck of Figures 2 and 4, and illustrating the mannerin which the forward end of the internal combustion engine is adaptedAto be mounted in a lift truck;

Figure 17 is an elevational view illustrating the manner in which theend of the electric motor opposite the end connected to' thedifferential housing is mounted in the main frame assembly of the lifttrucks;

Figure 18 is a side elevational view of the several controlsincorporated in the lift truck when it is provided with an internalcombustion engine type of power plant as in the lifttrucks of Figures 2and 4; and

Figures 19 is a side elevational view of the several controlsincorporated in the lift truck when an electric motor is utilized as thesource of motive power as in thelift trucks of Figures 3 and 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings I have shown in Figure 1 a lifttruck 20 complete except for a power plant, controls for the powerplant, and appropriate dash panel assembly, with 'which an internalcombustion engine means 2| and associated apparatus may be incorporated,as shown in Figure 2, to provide the completed lift truck 201 of thelatter ligure, or with which, as shown in Figure 3, an electric motormeans 22 and associated apparatus may be, incorporated to provide thesecond form of completed lift truck 20E of the latter figures', Theparts common to lift trucks 201 and 20E are shown in Figure 1, and itwill be observed that the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 8 comprises aload platform frame 22 and a main or rear frame assembly 23, shown indetail in Figures 9 through 11, which are each provided with a pair ofpads 24-24 and 25--25 at their rearward and forward ends, respectively,for securing themtogether lengthwise. A load platform 26 is mounted overthe platform frame 22 and as shown in Figures 8 and 8A is adapted to beraised and lowered by front and rear lift levers 21-21 and 28--28respectively, connected to front and rear lift shafts 29 and 30journaled in and extending transversely of the platform frame 22adjacent the forward and rearward ends thereof.

The front lift levers 21-21 have connection with a front lift bracket 3|suitably secured to the under surface of the platform 26 adjacent theforward end thereof, and the arms 32-32 of the rear lift levers 28-28have connection with lift shackles :i3- 33, which in turn are pivotallyconnected to a rear lift bracket 34 secured to the under surface of theplatform 26 adjacent the rearward end thereof. A lever 35 is secured tothe rear lift shaft 30 substantially centrally thereof the free end ofwhich has pivotal connection with a rod 36 extending lengthwise andforwardly of the platform frame and has connection at its forward endwith a lever 31 flxd to the front lift shaft 29 substantially centrallythereof. The rear lift levers 28-28 are provided with arm members 39-39which are pivotally connected to lift rods 40, the other ends of whichare connected to pistons disposed in the pair of lift cylinders 42-42disposed at either side of the rear or main frame 23 adjacent theforward end thereof. As shown more clearly in Figure 9, the rear or mainframe 23 comprises a transversely extending bracing member or brackethaving a pair of lugs 45-45 to which the rearward ends of lift cylinders42 are mounted as by pins. It will thus be observed that the lift rods40-40 may be caused to be reciprocated by controlling flow of fluidunder pressure to the lift cylinders 42-42 to effect raising andlowering of platform 26 with respect to the platform frame 22.

The platform lift mechanism generally described above is conventional inthe art and represents one suitable form of such mechanism suitable foruse in practicising my present invention. It will be understood,however, that for purposes of my invention the platform lift mechanismmay follow other known arrangements of such parts.

Also, a conventional form of steering means is provided for the lifttrucks, and it may, for

:,scacoo example, follow the construction disclosed in my prior PatentNo. 2,197,926, dated April 23, 1940. The preferred arrangement of theseveral parts vproviding for steering of the lift trucks a're shown inFigures l, and 8 through 11. As shown in Figure 9, the frame 23comprises a pair of spaced lengthwise extending side walls 58 and 5| inwhich the side wall member 58 as shown in Figure 10, adiacent itsrearward end, has suitably secured thereto as by a plurality of boltsand nuts a vertically extending dash support bracket 52. The upper endof the dash support bracket 52 provides for the support in a knownmanner of a conventional gear box 53. A steering wheel 55 is mounted forrotation about a horizontal axis on a shaft 56 which extends into thegear box 53 to effect rotation of a steering shaft 51 extendingvertically downwardly from the gear box 53 to the lower end of which asteering shaft lever 58 is secured having connection through a ball andsocket means 59 with a drag link 68 extending generally forwardly of thevehicle. The drag link 60 at its other end has a ball and socketconnection 82 with one end of a lever 63 pivoted intermediate its endsabout a vertical axis on a pin carried in an opening 64 (see Figure 9)of the bracing member or bracket 43 of the main or rear frame 23. Theother end of the lever 63 has a ball and socket connection with one endof a second drag link 64 which at itsother end is provided with a draglink yoke 66 having connection with a spindle member 61 of a pair ofspindle members 61 and 68 for rotatably supporting a pair of forwardwheels 69 at either side of the platform frame in a known manner. A pairof crank arms 18 are associated with the spindle members 61 and 68 whichare connected by a tie rod 12 so that the pair of wheels 69 are steeredtogether in the same direction upon actuation of the steering wheel 55.As shown more clearly in Figure 8A, the steering shaft 51, upwardly ofits lower end, has a lever secured thereto which lever has a ball andsocket connection 16 to a drag link 11 which in turn has a ball andsocket connection 18 to a crank arm 19 associated with a spindle member8| for one of the pair of driving wheels 88-88 of the lift truck. Thespindle member 8| is provided with a crank arm 82 which is connected bya tie rod 83 to the crank arm of a spindle member 84 for the otherdriving wheel 88 to provide for conjoint turning of the driving wheels.The above described drag link connections of the pair of forward Wheels69-69 carried by the platform frame 22 and the drag link connections ofthe driving wheels 88-89, operating oif of the common steering shaft 51by means of the hand wheel 55, provide a four-wheel truck in which allthe wheels are effective in steering ofthe lift truck by reason of whichthe vehicle may be turned in a relatively small radius.

A driving mechanism preferably comprising a differential 85 of knownconstruction for driving the drive wheels 88-88 is mounted to liebetween t-he side walls 58 and 5| of the main or rear frame 23 towardthe rearward end thereof. It will be observed from Figure l2 that adrive axle 86 extends laterally outwardly from one side of thedifferential housing 81, to one of the drive wheels 88, it beingunderstood that a like drive axle extends laterally outwardly of theother side of differential housing 81 to the other drive wheel 88 andwhich drive axles are connected in. the conventional manner to drive thedrive Wheels 88'-88 of the lift truck. The mounting of the 6differential housing in the lift truck .is of conventional constructionto the extent that it includes a pair of leaf springs 92 at either sideof the vehicle which have connection at their rearward ends to shackles93 the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted in bearing elements95-95 provided therefor in the side walls 58 and 5| of the main frame23. The other ends of the springs 92 are received in the yoke-shapedshackle members 96-96 formed as part of the bracing member or bracket 43and extending rearwardly of the main frame 23. The bracing member 43thus not only serves to secure rigidly the side walls 58 and 5I of theframe in spaced relation, but also provides, by means of the shacklemembers 96 thereof for the support of the forwardly extending ends ofleaf springs 92. As is' known in the art suitable U`shaped bolts 91 (seeFigure 14) are provided to encircle the leaf springs 92 with thevertically extending arms of the U-shaped bolts passing through thedifferential housing and suitably secured by nuts threaded on the freeends of the arms to the housing. It will be understood that any othersuitable mounting of the differential 95 may be provided in practicingmy invention, and it is believed that a further description of themounting of such mechanism in the lift truck is not necessary for anunderstanding of my invention. The differential mechanism may, forexample, be that of the type shown in my above referred to patent whichcomprises a brake drum 98 fixed on the end of the propeller shaft of thedifferential and with which suitable brake band members 99 areassociated. A crank arm IGI' is carried by a shaft suitably connected toand adapted to be rotated by the brake pedal |02 disposed in a positionto be engaged by the foot of an operator standing upon the platform |83for engaging and disengaging the brake bands with the brake drum. Theplatform |83 is supported by rearwardly extending reduced ends of theside walls 58 and 5|, which are provided with angle iron members |84suitably secured to and extending along the outer sides thereof, and

. an angle iron extending transversely of the main frame 23 which issuitably secured thereto by a pair of angle brackets |86.

The side wall frame member 5I adjacent its forward and upper edgecarries a control Valve |I8 which is connected by suitable conduits (notshown) to the lift cylinders 42 to admit fluid under pressure theretofor controlling raising and lowering the platform 26. The valve H9 is ofa known type and the connections thereof to the lift cylinders 42 isalso well known in view of ward edgeof thesec'tion I I3. Hood I I4comprises second section I 5 which at its rearward uppermost edge isadapted to be hingedly mounted to either of the dashboard panels |I6 and||1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. A clamp II8 is provided forclamping the open ends of the adjacent sectionsl I3 to H5 to each otherwhen in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.Suitable removable side plates or panels ||9 having louvers formedtherein complete the enclosure formed by the bumper plate y ||2, and4thehinged top hood sectionsA ||3 and H5, and either of the dashboardpanels ||6 and ||1. It will be observed from Figures 2 and 3 that thedashboard panels I6 and |1 enclose the steering bracket 52, a portion ofthe gear box 53 and steering shaft 51 so that substantially only thesteering wheel 55 of the steering mechanism extends beyond the outerfaceof eithei/ dashboard panel. A pair of side plates |20 complete theelements common to either type of powered lift truck which side platesextend downwardly from the removable side louvers substantially invertical alignment therewith and provide a finished appearance for thetruck.

Reference may now be had to Figures 9 through 11, 12, 13, and 16 for adescription of the manner in which an internal combustion engine propulfsion type of power plant may be incorporated in the assembly of parts ofFigures 1 to provide the lift truck 201 of Figure 2 As shown in Figure 2the internal combustion engine type of propulsion means comprises aninternal combustion engine |26, a clutch |21 with which clutch a pumpfor supplying fluid under pressure for raising and lowering loadsupporting platform 26 is carried and adapted to be driven in a mannerwell known in the art, a transmission |28 associated with the clutch|21, a cooling radiator |29, and a drive shaft connection |30 from thetransmission |28 to the differential 85. A gasoline tank I 3| which maybe supported by suitable brackets (not shown) on the internal combustionengine means is also provided for storing gasoline for the internalcombustion engine |26. It will be understood that various other devicessuch as carburetor, air cleaner, fuel and water circulating pumps andappropriate hose connections and the like are associated with theinternal combustion engine propulsion means, as is well known in theart. As will be clear from Figures 2, 9 and 16, the several elementsmaking up the internal combustion engine propulsion type means of myinvention are enclosed within the hood formed by hinged top sections ||3and ||5, the end bumper plate 2, the side louver panels ||9, thedashboard panel member ||6 of Figure 6 and between the side wall framemembers 50 and 5|. The hinged cover sections |3 and may be swung openwhich together with the removable side louver panels ||0, render theinternal combustion engine means readily available for inspection,repair and servicing. The pair of rearwardly disposed angle iron postsare provided for supporting the radiator within the dash panel member||6. The transmission |28 is of conventional construction and in theembodiment of the invention herein disclosed is of a type providing onegear ratio for forward drive and one gear ratio for reverse drive inwhich the selection-of forward or reverse drive is under control of theoperator by control mechanism to be hereinafter referred to. The clutch|21 is also of a known construction, and the connection thereof with theinternal combustion engine and of the transmission |28 vto the latter isa known arrangement to in e'ect form a single unit thereof. The housingof clutch |21 is formed at its lower rearward end with an integral boss|34 having a transverse bore through which a rod |35 extendstransversely of the main frame 23 with the opposite ends of the rodbeing supported in openings |36 formed in the side walls thereof. asshown in Figure 10, to provide a pivotal mounting of the rearward end ofthe internal combustion-engine means. The forward'end of the internalcombustion engine |26 which' extends toward the rear of the lift truck20I, as shown in Figure 16, is provided with a pair of pads |31 to whicha frame member |38 extending transversely vof the forward end of theinternal combustion engine |26 is suitably secured as by bolts |39. Apair of angle iron brackets |40 are welded to the outer ends of bracketmember |38, with the flanges |4| thereof extending horizontallyrearwardly and disposed vertically above the horizontally inwardlyextending flanges |42 of a pair of angle iron brackets |44 suitablysecured to the side Wall members and 5| of main frame 23. The flanges|4| and |42 of the angle brackets |38 and |44 are provided with suitableopenings through which bolts |45 extend vertically with the lower endsof the bolts |45 each having a nut |46 threaded thereon. A pair of coilsprings |41 are associated with each of the bolts |45 with one of thecoil springs of each being -disposed between the flanges |4| and |42 andthe other of the coilsprings between the flange |42 and the nut |46. Thecoil springs are adapted to be placed under compression by threading ofthe nuts |46 on the bolts 45 to provide a resilient mounting of theforward end of the internal combustion engine. It will be understoodthat other suitable means such as rubber blocks or the like may beutilized to provide a resilient mounting of the forward end of theinternal combustion engine in the main frame 23 in lieu of the springs|45. vWith the internal combustion engine means mounted in the lifttruck 20I of Figure 2, as described, it will be observed from Figures 12and 13 that the drive shaft from the transmission unit 28 has connectionby means of the universal joint with the drive shaft |56 of the drivingconnection |30 between the transmission and the differential 85.

. The other end of the drive shaft |56 has connection with the propellershaft |59 of the differential through a universal joint |51 whichcomprises a yoke member |58 splined to the propeller shaft. As shown thepropeller shaft |59 adjacent its forward end is supported in a rollerbearing assembly |6| in a recess provided therefor in the differentialhousing 81 and a cover plate |62 and an oil seal |63 are provided toclose the opening in the differential housing through which thepropeller shaft |59 extends.

Reference may now be had to Figures 9 to 11, 14, l5 and 17 for adescription of the manner in which the electric motor propulsion meansis incorporated with the assembly of parts shown in Figure 1 to providethe electrically driven lift truck of Figure 3 of the drawings. As willbe clear from Figures 14 and 15, it will be seen that the cover plate|62, oil seal |63, and universal yoke member |58 of the universal joint|51 previously referred to in connection with Figures l2 and 13 areeliminated in the incorporation of an electric motor |10 with thedifferential 85. As shown in Figure 15 the electric motor |10 comprisesan armature shaft |1'| which is journaled in the ball bearing race |12at the rearward end of the motor, and the outer end of the armatureshaft has secured thereto a collar or sleeve member |13 by means of awedge |14 keyed to the armature shaft and against which a nut |15 havingthreaded engagement with the threaded end of the armature shaft isadapted to bear. A sleeve |16 similar to the sleeve |13 is mountedais/laser) on the splined end of the propeller shaft |59 of thedifferential 85. Each of the collar or sleeve members |13,and |16 areprovided with outwardly radially extending flanges |18 and |19,respectively, which are provided with teeth |80 about which an endlesschain |8| is trained so that the armature'shaft is adapted to drive thepropeller shaft |59 of the differential mechanism 85. A first housingsection |90 is connected by bolts to the rearward end of the housing ofelectric motor |10, and a second housing section |9| is provided with aperipheral flange |92 which is suitably secured to the iiange |93 of thehousing section |90 as by a plurality of bolts and nuts |94. Theopposite end of the housing section |9| is formed to be piloted in therecess at the open end of the differential housing 81 to enclose theflexible coupling between the armature shaft of the motor and thepropeller shaft of the differential. It will be observed that therearward end of the housing section |9| is of the same form as the innerface of the closure plate |62 of Figure 13, so that the housing 81 ofthe differential is adapted to have associated therewith either theelectric motor driving means or the internal combustion enginepropulsion means inthe lift trucks of my invention. The forward end ofthe electric motor |10, as shown in Figures 14 and l', is adapted to besupported between the side walls 50 and 5| by means of a frame or barmember 200 (shown in dotted lines in Figures 9 and l0) the opposite endsof which are suitably secured to the pads 25 at the forward end of themain frame 23. A plate member 20| is secured forwardly of the electricmotor at the lower portion thereof by a pair of pins 202, welded to theplate which extend inwardly toward the motor and engage the outerperiphery of the forward end coverplate of the electric motor housing. Aplurality of spacer screws 203 have threaded engagement with the forwardend cover plate and secure the plate 20| in spaced relation thereto withthe pins 202 serving to prevent shearing of the spacer screws, and thespacing ofthe plate member 20| providing for circulation of air to coolthe electric motor. An angle bracket 205 is secured to the frame member20| as by welding and is provided with a horizontal forwardly extendingflange element 206. An angle bracket 201 is also secured to 4the bar orframe member 200 extending transversely between the pads of the frame 23and has a flange` portion 208 extending horizontal- 1y inwardly andunderlying the flange 206 of the bracket 205. A bolt 2|0 extends throughopenings formed in the flanges 206 and 20B of the brackets 205 and 201with one of a pair of coil springs 2|| being disposed between theflanges 200 and 208 and the other coil spring being disposed between theheaded end 2|3 of the bolt and flange 208. A pair of nuts 2|4 arethreaded on the bolt 2|0 to maintain the pair of springs 2| undercompression and provide a resilient mounting for the forward end of theelectricV motor |10. Thus, in the mounting of an electric motor in theassembly of 10 associated with an electric motor. As shown in Figure 3,a control box 2|5, a contacter box 2|0, Va pump means 2|1 and storagebatteries 2|8 comprise auxiliary apparatus to effect operation of the.electric motor |10 for driving the truck and raising and lowering of theplatform 26. The construction and operation of these several elementsare of a character well known in the art and form no part of the presentinvention. However, the several elements referredV to, except for thestorage batteries 2|8, are all contained within the dashboard panel-.|11shown in Figures 7 and 19.

The storage batteries 2|8l` as will be seen more clearly fromFigures 3,and 9 through 11, are adapted to be supported above the upper edges ofside walls 50 and 5| of the main frame and within the enclosure formedthereabove by hood sections ||3 and ||5, bumper plate ||2 and dash panel||1, by means of a pair of lengthwise extending angle members 2|9,lshown in dotted lines in Figures 9 and 10, which are suitably secured tothe outside surfaces of the side walls 50 and 5| at the upper edgesthereof. A second pair of forward and rearward angle members 220, alsoshown in dotted lines in Figures 9 and l0, extend transversely of sidewalls 50 and 5| and are suitably secured to angle brackets 2|9 with theforward and rearward angle members 22-0 bearing against the forward andrearward pairs of vertical post forming angle members respectively. Abase plate member 22| mounted on the angle members 2|9 and 220 providesfor the support of the storage batteries 2|8. It will thus be observedthat in the electric powered lift truck of Figure 3 that the main frame23 is adapted to have suitable angle members and a base plate associatedtherewith for the support of storage batteries providing. a source ofelectricity for operation of the electric motor |10 for driving the lifttruck and of the motor for the pump means 2|1 for effecting raising andlowering of the platform 26. It will also be observed that the electricmotor |10 is disposed between side walls 50 and 5| and below the upperedges thereof so that ample space is provided. for the support of thestorage batteries in the compartment dened bythe hood sections ||3 and||5, side louver panels H9, bumper plate ||2 and the dash panel member||1, above the upper edges of side frames 50 and 5|.

Reference may now be had to Figure 18 in which the controls for theinternal combustion engine propulsion type of lift truck of Figure 2 areshown. These controls are similar in most respects to the controls shownand described in my above referred to patent to which reference may behad. In general these controls comprise a lift control lever..223 whichextends outwardly through an opening formed in the dash panel ||8 (seeFigure '6) which when` raised vertically from the neutral position shownto its upper position effects actuation of valve ||0 to lower liftplatform 26, and when moved vertically through neutral to its lowermostposition effects raising of the platform. A main clutch and gear shiftcontrol lever is shown at 224. The lift control lever 223 is pivotedintermediate its ends about a horizontal axis as at 225 for theaforesaid vertical movement, and the inner end thereof has pivotalconnection with the upper end of a substantially vertically extendingrod 226 which at its lower end has pivotal connection with an arm 221connected by means of a shaft 228 with an arm 229 from which a rod 230extends to the valve'l I0 for effecting admission of fluid underpressure to the lift cylinders 42 to eect raising and lowering theplatform. It will be understood, as is common in the art, that theinternal combustion engine drives a suitable pump associated with andhaving driving connection with clutch |21 for supplying fluid underpressure to the lift cylinders 42 through the valve in the raising andlowering of platform 26 under the control of the operator by means ofthe platform control lever 223.

The clutch and gear shift lever 224 comprises a clutch lever 232 whichhas suitable connection with a rock arm 233 (see Figure 12) foreffecting engagement and disengagement of clutch |21 by verticalmovement of,lever 224. The arrangement is such that when lever 224 is inits uppermost position the clutch |21 is engaged and when the lever 224is in its lowermost position the clutch is disengaged. The lever 224 isalso adapted to have sidewise movement in its lowermost position, whichsidewise movement by means of an arcuate segment member 234 carried by abracket 236 fixed to panel member ||6 effects rotary movement of avertically extending shaft 235. A yoke 231 is mounted on the lower endof shaft 235 from which a rod 238 extends to a bell crank 239 pivoted onthe clutch housing. The arm 240 of bell crank 239 has connection througha rod 24| with the rock arm 242 extending into the transmission |28. Asis well known in the art the lever 224 is movable for selectivelyactuating the transmission for forward or reverse drive. In the instantapplication the transmission is of a character providing single forwardand reverse gear ratios.' This may be varied to provide a plurality ofgear ratios as desired and may. for example, incorporate thetransmission of my `above patent. Thus sidewise movement of the lever224 in its lowermost position provides for y selection of either forwardor reverse drive and then upon movement of the lever 224 substantiallyvertically upwardly, the clutch is engaged whereby the driving wheels 80are driven by the internal combustion through the transmission |28 anddifferential 85 by the connection thereof, as previously described. Athrottle lever 243 is pivoted on the lever 224 and has connection with arod 240 connected at its lower end to a lever 242 fixed to a shaft 243to which a second lever 244 is secured and from which one end of which athrottle control rod 245 extends to a carburetor for controlling thespeed of the internal combustion engine. A bracket 241 mounted on panel||6 provides for support of the lower end of shaft 235 and brackets 248and 249, also secured to the panel ||6, provide for support of theshafts 228 and 243 of the lift valve actuating linkage and throttlecontrol-mechanism, respectively. It is believed that further descriptionof the controls for the internal combustion engine propelled type oflift truck of my invention is not necessary for they are well known inthe art and so far as my present invention is concerned may vary widely.

Reference may now be had to Figure 19 for a general description of theseveral controls for the electric motor propulsion type of lift truckshown in Figure 3. A platform lift control lever 25| extends through asuitable opening formed in the upper end of the dash panel ||1 (seeFigure '1) which lever is pivoted about a horizontal pivot 252 suitablysupported on the bracket 253 carried at the inner surface of and towardthe upper end of the rear wall of the panel ||1. The inner end of thelever 25| has suitable connection with a substantially verticallyextending rod 255 the lower end of which has pivotal connection by thearrangement of parts previously described and comprising the arm 221connected to a horizontally disposed shaft 228 to which is fixed thelever 229 and from which the rod 230 extends to the valve means ||0. Itwill thus be observed that the platform lift control lever means for thevalve ||0 for effecting lowering and raising of the lift platform 26 inboth types of lift trucks of my invention are substantially identicalexcept that in the electric motor propulsion type, as shown in Figure19, the rod 255 acacent the upper end thereof is provided with athreaded portion upon which a pair of nuts 251 are threaded in spacedrelation with the opposed inner ends of the nuts 251 being tapered forengaging a roller 258 carried by an arm 259 of a.

pump motor switch 260. Thus upon raising and lowering of the platformcontrol lever 25| either of the tapered surfaces of the nuts 251 engagethe roller 258 to force the switch arm 25,9 inwardly and close theswitch 260 to effect operation of the motor of the pump means 2|1, whichis suitably connected to the valve ||0 to provide a source of fluidunder pressure for the lift cylinder 42-42 in the raising and loweringof the platform 26.

A speed control lever 210 is pivoted about the pin 252 providing forpivotal mounting of the platform control lever 25| and has its arm 21|pivotally connected to an adjustable link 212 which in turn has pivotalconnection to a lever 213 mounted on a shaft 214 extending transverselyof the upper end of the panel |1, the other en d of the shaft 214 havinga lever 215 mounted thereon which has connection through suitable knownmechanism with the contactor box 2|6 having rheostat means forcontrolling the speed of the electric motor |10. A direction controllever 215 extends through a suitable opening provided therefor in thepanel ||1, and at its inner end has connection to a hollow shaft 216extending coaxially of the shaft 214 and through linkage 211 at itsother end has connection with the polarity reversing means of controlbox 2|5 to provide for rotating the armature shaft of the electric motorin either direction for selection of either forward or reverse drive forthe lift truck. As previously related the control box 2|5, the contactorbox 2|6l the pump means 2|1 and its connection with the valve |||I, areall common expedients in the art and is believed that furtherdescription thereof is not necessary to an understanding of my instantinvention. It will be seen in Figure 19 that a panel 218 encloses theupper end of dash panel |1 housing the upper ends of the several controllevers and mechanism above described which panel 218 is suitably securedto the pair of rearward upright posts extending vertically upwardly'from the main frame 23. The panel 218 provides for support of a bracket219 to which the shafts 214 and 213 for the levers 210 and 215 aremounted. It will be understood that the electrical control levers andmechanisms may vary widely since any suitable electrical control meansfor establishing the circuit between the batteries and the electricmotor as well as the pump means for supplying fluid under pressure tothe valve l0 may be utilized for purposes of my present invention.

In Figure 4 I have shown a lift truck of the type comprising a liftplatform supporting meanscomprising four wheels and in which the lifttruck is provided with an internal combustion engine type of propulsionmeans. In this form of lift truck all wheels are adapted to be used insteering and may, for example, follow the steering mechanism of my aboveidentified patent. My invention thus has utility in application to othertrucks in that the pads 24' of frame 22' of the lift truck 20A, shown inFigure 4, are adapted to be secured to the pads 25 of the main frame 23to provide this lift truck. In all other respects the truck 20A'issimilar to the lift truck of Figure 2 except for the different form ofplatform frame 22 and steering mechanism for the wheels thereof.

Also, in Figure 5 I have shown still another form of lift truck B whichhas a lift platform 28|] adapted to be raised and lowered by suitablehydraulic lift mechanism. The propulsion means may be either of theelectric or internal combustion engine type hereinbefore described andin the embodiment shown the electrical propulsion means described moreparticularly in connection with Figure 3 has been incorporated in themain framel o f the truck. Here again the different form of platformelevating means is carried by a platform frame adapted tohave connectionwith the pads -25 of the main frame 23 of the lift truck previouslydescribed.

While I have shown what I consider to be the preferred embodiments of myinvention it will be understood that various rearrangements andmodifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim: l

1. In a self-propelled industrial truck having driving wheels andadapted to be provided selectively with either an internal combustionengine means or an electric motor means vfor driving said drivingwheels, a main frame member comprising a pair of spaced vertical sidewalls, diierential means including a housing and having a pair ofdriving axles, means including said main frame member for supportingsaid differential means between said side walls with said axlesextending transversely of one end of said frame for carrying saiddriving wheels, said internal combustion engine meansv and said electricmotor means being adapted to have supporting means associated therewith,and said electric .motor means including means for mounting the sameonto the housing of said differential means, and means for said mainframe adapted to cooperate with said supporting means of said internalcombustion engine means and said electric motor means for mounting thesame selectively between the side walls of said frame member.

2. An industrial truck having driving wheels and adapted to be providedselectively with either an internal combustion engine means or electricmotor means for driving said driving wheels, comprising a main frame,diierential means including a housing supported by said frame and havingdriving connection with said driving wheels, said main frame comprisinga pair of spaced side Walls having opposed openings therein adapted tosupport a rod to extend transversely of the frame to provide a supportfor one end of said internal combustion engine means, said side walls ofsaid frame member being adapted to support bracket means for supportingthe other end of said internal combusmeans and which said truck isadapted to be selectively provided for driving said differential meanswith either an internal combustion engine means having supportingbracket means at one end thereof and in which a supporting bar isprovided to extend transversely of the otherend thereof, or an electricmotor means comprising a housing member adapted to be supported at oneend by the housing of said differential means and bracket means at theother end of said electric motor means for supporting the same, a framemember comprising spaced vertical side walls having opposed openingstherein for supporting opposite ends of said bar, said frame memberbeing formed to have brackets fixed to the inside surfaces thereof towhich the bracket means of said internal combustion engine means isadapted to be secured, and said frame member being formed to havebracket means fixed thereto to which the bracket means of said electricmotor means is adapted to be secured.

4. Infan industrial truck having a main frame defined by a pair ofspaced vertical side walls, differential means, means for supporting thedifferential means in said main frame, driving wheels adapted to be-driven through said differential means, and an internal combustionengine means for driving the differential means, means for mounting saidinternal combustion engine means between the side walls of said mainframe comprising a bar having its opposite ends supported in openingsprovided therefor t in said side Walls of said main frame to extendtransversely of the latter at one end of said internal combustion enginemeans and provide a pivotal support therefor about an axis extendinghorizontally and transversely of said side walls, and resilient bracketmeans between said main frame and the otherend of said internalcombustion engine means.

5. A main frame means for an industrial truck or the like havingdifferential means including a housing supported in said main frame withsaid differential means providing for driving driving wheels for saidtruck, and having electric motor means including an electric motor andstorage battery means for said electric motor, said electric motor beingadapted to be mounted at one end to the housing of said differentialmeans and at its other by resilient bracket means between the electricmotor and main frame -comprising, a pair of spaced vertical side wallsbetween which and below the upper edges thereof said electric motor isadapted to be disposed, and bracket means carried by said side walls ofsaid main frame toprovide for the support of said storage battery meansabove the upper edges of said side walls.

6. An industrial truck comprising a main frame means having a pair ofspacedgv//ertical substantially planar side walls rigidly connectedtogether intermediate their ends in parallel relation by a transverselyextending bracing member, differential means including a housing, meansincluding said transverse bracing member for supporting saiddifferential means in said main frame means between said side walls,driving wheels adapted to be driven by said differential means, saidtruck being adapted to be selectively provided with either an internalcombustion engine means or an electric motor means for driving saiddifferential means, said main frame means being formed to provide forthe association therewith of means for supporting said internalcombustion engine means, said internal combustion engine means beingprovided with drive shaft means to establish a driving connection withsaid differential means, said drive shaft means including a cover platefor the housing of said differential means, and said main frame meansbeing formed to provide for the association therewith of bracket meansfor supporting one end of said electric motor means, with the other endof said electric motor means being adapted to be supported in the end ofsaid differential housing providing for the mounting thereon of saidcover plate of said drive shaft means from said internal combustionengine means.

7. In a self-propelled industrial truck having driving Wheels andadapted to be provided selectively with either an internal combustionengine means or an electric motor means for driving said driving wheels,and with said internal combustion engine means and said electric motormeans having supporting means associated therewith, a main frame membercomprising a pair of spaced vertical side walls extending lengthwise ofthe truck, means at one end of said main frame for supporting a platformupon which the operator of the truck is adapted to stand, a plurality ofposts xed to and extending vertically upwardly of said side walls forsupporting hood means to provided an enclosure upwardly of said framemember, a bracing member extending transversely of said Walls adjacentthe other end of said main frame, differential means including ahousing, and having driving axles, means including said bracing memberfor mounting said differential means between said side walls of saidframe member and forwardly of said platform with said axles extendingtransversely of said main frame and carrying said driving wheels, andsaid main frame member being adapted to have supporting means associatedtherewith to cooperate with the supporting means of said internalcombustion engine means or said electric motor means for mounting thesame selectively between the side walls of said frame member and withinthe enclosure formed by said hood means.

8. The combination of claim 7 characterized by said electric motor meansincluding an electric motor being formed at one end to be mounted ontothe housing of said differential means for supporting the said motorbetween the side walls of the main frame and below the upper edgesthereof, and with said upper edges of said side walls being adapted tobe provided with bracket means supporting battery means for theoperation of said electric motor of said electric motor means.

9. In a lift truck or the like having driving wheels and adapted to beprovided selectively with either an internal combustion engine means oran electric motor means for driving said driving wheels, and a Wheeledload supporting frame carrying a load supporting platform, the raisingand lowering of which is adapted to be controlled by lift cylinder meansconnected thereto, the combination of a main frame means comprising,

16 a pair of spaced vertical side walls connected t0- gether adjacentone end of the frame by a transversely extending bracing member,differential means including driving axles, means including said bracingmember for mounting said differential means between said side walls ofsaid main frame with said axles extending transversely of said frame andcarrying said driving wheels,

said side walls of said main frame providing for the support of meansfor cooperation with said supporting means of said internal combustionengine means or said electric motor means for mounting of the sameselectively between the side walls of said main frame, and said bracingmember having means providing for mounting of said lift cylinder meansthereon.

10. In a lift truck or the like having driving wheel means and adaptedto be provided selectively with either an internal combustion enginemeans or an electric motor means for driving said driving wheels inwhich said internal combustion engine means is provided with supportingbracket means at one end thereof and a supporting bar is provided toextend transversely of the other end thereof, and in which said electricmotor means has a housing member at oneend thereof and bracket means atthe other end thereof, and a wheeled load supporting frame carrying aload supporting platform the raising and lowering of which is adapted tobe controlled by lift cylinder means connected thereto, the combinationof a mainframe means comprising, a pair of spaced vertical side wallsconnected together adjacent one end of the main frame by a transverselyextending bracing member, differential means including a housing andhaving driving axles, means including said bracing member for mountingsaid differential means between said side walls of said main frame withsaid axles extending transversely of said main frame and carrying saiddriving wheels, said side walls having opposed openings therein forsupporting opposite ends of said bar, said main frame means being formedto have brackets fixed to the inside surfaces thereof to which thebracket means of said internal combustion engine is adapted to besecured to provide for the selective mounting of said internalcombustion engine means between said side walls, and said main framemeans being formed to have bracket means fixed thereto to which thebracket means of said electric motor is adapted to be secured, saiddifferential housing being formed to have said housing member of saidelectric motor means secured thereto to provide for the selectivemounting of said velectric motor means between said walls, and saidbracing member having means providing for mounting of said lift cylindermeans thereon.

ELMER J. DUNHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

